Operation Annwyn Rising - Faction Spotlight: Clan Blood Spirit

BattleMech Y3 Facility, York, Clan Homeworlds
5 September 3067

"I bid the Bellicose Guard."

Star Colonel Zane Schmitt's soft voice rarely carried over the din of his compatriots, but this one sentence alone was enough to quiet the gathering of Clan Blood Spirit's Bloodnamed warriors.

"Star Colonel, the established cutdown for this operation is a full Galaxy. Even if a single Cluster could take the targeted worlds, holding them would prove problematic. We cannot risk losing gains before they are adequately reinforced. Failure in this endeavor could spell the death of our Clan!"

The rebuke from his Clan's junior leader, saKhan Troy Boques, did nothing to diminish the rare smile on S.Col Schmitt's face. In fact, he was expecting his bid to be challenged immediately. Any sibko graduate could read the Khan's invasion outline, timetable, and minimum force requirements. What took a true strategic mind to read was the way in which much of the initial requirement could be circumvented entirely, or at least quickly.

The murmur of voices once again began to rise in support of the saKhan. Khan Karianna Schmitt, senior leader of the Blood Spirits, remained silent, urging her warrior to continue in his assessment.

"With due respect, my Khan, you are wrong. We are the true inheritors of the great Kerensky's vision. We alone have followed His wisdom and for that, we have endured a hardship beyond any other Clan. We have been marginalized and pushed into the fringe of Clan society. To many, we are barely elevated above that of the Dark Caste. No, my Khan, failure is not the death of our Clan. Failure is the death of Kerensky's dream."

The silence was deafening. Not a warrior dared to breathe noticeably. The weight of the proposed operation and of Zane Schmitt's words pressed heavily upon the gathering.

"The Star Colonel speaks truth. I stand corrected. So tell us, then, what you can do with a single Cluster."

As Schmitt laid out his machinations, both Khans slowly shared his smile. Their acceptance and support was quick in coming.

Circle of Equals, Trial Grounds, Marshall, Clan Homeworlds
1 October 3067

The impressive light show of extended range large laser shots being traded lit up the night sky of Marshall. On one end, a fifty ton Crimson Langur OmniMech danced nimbly, relying on speed and the dogged determination of its pilot to dodge and weave the incoming fire. On the other, an eighty five ton Blood Kite BattleMech deftly maneuvered to turn successful hits into glancing blows. What had begun as a Trial of Possession, a Harvest Trial really, for a portion of Clan Fire Mandrill's Mattila-Carrol force, devolved into a personal duel between the two 'Mechs.

The remainder of two Binaries worth of Clan forces stood at the edges of the circle, watching their leaders tear into each other with a reckless abandon usually reserved for forces with a deep hatred of one another, not allies. Banter and wagers on a common frequency belied the ferocity of the battle.

Darting into shorter range, the Langur utilized its powerful targeting computer to lay accurate laser fire into the heart of the Blood Kite, adding paired heavy medium lasers to the extended range barrage. The Kite rocked backwards, but the MechWarrior at its controls was prepared for the onslaught, and responded by unleashing a hellstorm of long and short range missiles. Though the heat build up was intense, it had the desired result. The yellow and red parade scheme of the Crimson Langur was ruined, its armor melted in a dozen places.

Attempting to back peddle, hot cycling its weapons despite the risk, the Langur stumbled and lost the one advantage it held. Without speed and the ability to evade fire, the duel became far more one-sided. The Blood Kite contained a strategist, a tactician, a thinker known more for his skill at the planning session than on the field, but the outcome had been decided before Star Colonel Zane Schmitt climbed into his cockpit. Avoiding the Langur's battered head, the Kite emptied the last of its missile ammunition into the internal structure of its legs, severing them both at the knee.

"Yield, Amanda Carrol. I claim your forces as Isorla. Welcome to Clan Blood Spirit."

Staging Point Alpha, Helghan, Colleen System, Clan Homeworlds
18 November 3067

Iota Galaxy Commander Zane Schmitt, architect of Operation: Annwyn Rising, slowly and methodically approached a podium erected for this one moment, this moment that would be broadcast to all in-system ships and transmitted throughout the Kerensky Cluster. Banners bearing the blood red teardrop insignia of Clan Blood Spirit fluttered in the breeze kicked up by the exhaust of dozens of DropShips landing and departing. This moment of time, this small slice of existence, had been building for more than a decade. Since the Clans returned to the Inner Sphere, since the failed intervention during the Burrock Absorption, since the loss of the Great Refusal, since the founding of the Colleen System and the Star Adder invasion of York, it had been coming. This culmination of choices made since Nicholas Kerensky named the Blood Spirits for the esprit de corps of the original 800 founders awed even a cold, manipulative heart like Schmitt's. This was a moment where the entire course of a people's history would change and he would be there to spearhead it. To spearhead a return home. To take Khan Karianna Schmitt's vision and make it an undeniable reality.

 Hundreds of warriors below awaited his words. Trueborn and freeborn, MechWarrior and Elemental, Spirits all.

"My people...

Sons and daughters of Kerensky. For many years, we have been a broken Clan; shunned, oppressed and conquered by those we sought to escape!

Ten years ago, Khan Karianna Schmitt asked for time and that time was granted by you; the strength in my arm, the holders of our dream.
 
Our forefathers embarked upon the greatest Exodus in the history of all mankind; an Exodus for freedom. The Kerensky Cluster became that freedom! To survive on these new worlds, we changed our bodies. At first, the reliance on iron womb technology weakened us. In fact, we were growing stronger. We were becoming... Superior.
 
In the time you have given me, I have rebuilt our touman. I have rebuilt our strength. And I have rebuilt our pride!

Our enemies in the Homeworlds have been re-educated. We have given them new insight into our cause. On this day, we stand united once more. On this day, those driven to divide us, will hear our voice! On this day, we shall act as one and we shall be ignored no more!"

Breathlessly, he paused. He had them. He knew he had them.

"Defenders of Clan Blood Spirit, now is our time!"

As he stepped out of the light, he felt an elation he had never experienced before. Each and every warrior, every scientist and technician, every merchant and laborer. Every single member of Clan Blood Spirit would fight and die and cleave a path straight to Terra if he so commanded. Galaxy Commander now, but soon Khan, and then ilKhan, Zane Schmitt felt the terrible weight of glorious purpose pressing down upon him and found it a sensation to which nothing in the universe could compare. He embraced it like a lover as he prepared to depart for the Inner Sphere.

(Scolar Visari, how I picture this entire scene adapted wholesale from the Killzone 1 intro.)

The Wars of Reaving book put the most logical end to the Blood Spirits that FM: Updates made available - their eventual destruction. The smallest, most isolationist of Kerensky's Clans, it was almost as if they were set up to die a dramatic death... It's an outcome I've never disagreed with, especially given how well it was written. That being said, I'm still left with a beast Iota Galaxy cluster-in-progress and, well, since the Horses have never been one of my favorites... Thus we have a moved up timetable for the Spirits colonization efforts in the Colleen system to 3062, and added the claiming of the command binary of the Mattila-Carrol Kindraa, along with the elite 61st Firestorm Cluster and newly formed 1st Fire Assault Cluster (and the Lola-III Rage) to form the core of a reconstituted Delta Galaxy. With Honor and Haven as a spring board, the Spirits get a jump on the Horse's invasion time table, throwing the BattleTech Universe into a different direction.

Prior to the start of a 5th SW/Jihad era Inner Sphere in Flames campaign, the Blood Spirit Iota and Delta Galaxies hit Clan Wolf's Periphery holdings in a Wars of Reaving style mini-campaign, securing a planetary beachhead for what will become a slugfest of epic proportions. The name refers to the Welsh underworld, which most hardcore Spirits will recognize as important to the history of the Clan. The Welsh thing, not the underworld. Depending on player involvement, the Falcons may still feel the sting of a Hellion's-type invasion, or the Bears could bear (pun intended) the brunt of that scenario. All other Clans are still a wild card here but as it stands, the Spirits will not be going down into the footnote of history without one helluva last fight.

CLAN BLOOD SPIRIT
TASK FORCE: ANNWYN
Bellicose Guard/Command Binary (Nouveaux Paris)

Command Star
Blood Kite 2 – (Iota)Galaxy Commander Zane Schmitt
Behemoth/Stone Rhino 2
Daishi/Direwolf H
Daishi/Direwolf A
Kodiak 3

Surat Star
Blood Asp Prime
Masakari/Warhawk H
Marauder IIC 2
Mad Cat/Timberwolf D
Hunchback IIC

Bellicose Guard/Bravo Trinary (Nouveaux Paris)

Command Star
Crimson Langur A – (Zeta)Galaxy Commander Amanda Carroll
Crimson Langur Prime
Crimson Langur Prime
Crimson Langur Prime
Crimson Langur Prime

Striker Star
Fenris/Ice Ferret Prime
Hankyu/Arctic Cheetah H
Uller/Kit Fox H
Uller/Kit Fox H
Koshi/Mist Lynx H


Elemental Star
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser
Elemental Point Small Laser

Bellicose Guard/Charlie Binary (Nouveaux Paris)

Command Star
Masakari/Warhawk Prime
Blood Kite
Blood Kite
Blood Kite
Blood Kite

Lineholder Star
Shadow Cat Prime
Nova/Black Hawk A
Hunchback IIC
Crimson Hawk
Puma/Adder Prime

Bellicose Guard/Delta Trinary (Nouveaux Paris)

Command Star
Loki/Hellbringer Prime
Crossbow Prime
Fenris/Ice Ferret
Ryoken/Storm Crow
Jenner IIC

Support Star
WVR-7H Wolverine II
MON-66GX Mongoose Gunslinger
MON-66GX Mongoose Gunslinger
UrbanMech IIC
Enyo Pursuit Tank
Enyo Pursuit Tank

Salamander Star
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser
Salamander Point Laser

AND IT'S AN EXPAAAAAANSION!!! Newly formed Cluster, currently looking at Alpha Galaxy (though may go Omega or Omicron) has joined the fight! Courtesy of the BattleTech forums for inspiration. And featuring a handful of former Burrocks taken as bondsmen from the Adders.

29th Blood Drinkers Cluster "The Winged Hussars"

Commander - Star Colonel/Cloud Cobra ilChi Carmen Zadok
Aide de Camp - MechWarrior Stefanie Polczyk
Location - Bazaar

Cluster Command Star

•   Blood Asp A* - Star Colonel Carmen Zadok
•   Thor - MechWarrior Stefanie Polczyk
•   Stooping Hawk
•   Crimson Langur
•   Crimson Hawk*

Trinary Alpha, Command Star

•   Crimson Langur - Star Captain Mara Church
•   Crimson Langur
•   Hankyu
•   Griffin IIC
•   Jenner IIC

Trinary Alpha, Battle Star

•   Battle Cobra - Star Commander Philip Zadok
•   Battle Cobra
•   Crossbow
•   Crossbow
•   Loki C

Trinary Alpha, Assault Star

•   Blood Asp A* - Star Commander Hengist Lewis
•   Kingfisher C
•   Kingfisher A
•   Highlander IIC
•   Highlander IIC

Trinary Beta, Command Star

•   Blood Kite - Star Captain Kira Keller
•   Blood Kite
•   EMP-6A Emperor Nerran* - Seeker-MechWarrior Nerran
•   Marauder IIC
•   Marauder IIC

Trinary Beta, Scout Star

•   MON-66GX Mongoose* - Star Commander Fredrich
•   MON-66GX Mongoose*
•   SLG-1G Sling
•   SLG-1G Sling
•   SLG-1H Sling

Trinary Beta, Battle Star

•   Griffin IIC - Star Commander Odette
•   Clint IIC
•   Wyvern IIC
•   Rifleman IIC 
•   Hunchback IIC

Trinary Gamma
•   Striker Star: Point of Cecerops (5), 4 Points of Rocs (20)
•   Battle Star: Point of Delphynes (5), 4 Points of Chrysoars (20)
•   Assault Star: Point of Procyon Quad (5), 4 Points of Sprites (20)

Trinary Delta

•   Striker Star: 4 Shamash, 2 Hephaestus, 4 Donar
•   Battle Star: 6 Ares, 4 Epona
•   Assault Star: 4 Morrigu, 2 Athena, 4 Mars (ATM)

Trinary Epsilon

•   Striker Star: Point of Elementals (5)*, 4 Points of Salamanders (20)*
•   Assault Star: Point of Gnomes (5)*, 4 Points of Salamanders (20)*
•   Battle Star: Point of Coronas (5), 4 Points of Elementals (20)

Fleet Assets

•   Broadsword DropShip Blood Avatar (Command Star)
•   Lee DropShip Red Reaver (Trinary Alpha, Trinary Beta)
•   Arcadia DropShip Vitae (Trinary Gamma)
•   Lee Combat Vehicle Transport Crimson Crusader (Trinary Delta, Trinary Epsilon)
•   Lee AeroSpace Carrier Scarlet Shrike (Attached AeroSpace Fighters)

AeroSpace Attachment

•   Striker Star: 2 Chaeronea, 2 Vandal, 2 Sulla, 2 Issus, 2 Bashkir
•   Battle Star: 2 Turk, 2 Tyre, 2 Visigoth B, 2 Jagatai, 2 Tyre 2
•   Assault Star: 2 Kirghiz, 2 Kirghiz C, 2 Sabutai, 2 Sabutai C, 2 Hydaspes

Note - ilChi Carmen Zadok is responsible for coordinating joint actions and trials between the Blood Spirits and Cloud Cobras as Operation: Annwyn Rising swings into full effect.

Note 2 - Khan Schmitt's Trial of Refusal Star can be built out of this to fight Hohiro's Genyosha detachment, if one so chose. It's almost impossible for the Genyosha to win though, despite my enjoyment of Hohiro, without significant luck or writer fiat. 

Trial of Refusal Star

•   Blood Kite - Khan Karianna Schmitt (2/0)
•   Battle Cobra B - saKhan Troy Boques (2/1)
•   Kingfisher C - MechWarrior Matthius (2/3)
•   Kingfisher A - MechWarrior Jason Keller (1/2)
•   Crossbow A - MechWarrior Norris (3/3)